New Delhi: The Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued a final notice to IAS officer Alok Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home-II Branch), Punjab Department of Home Affairs, seeking his response in connection with an alleged breach of privilege and contempt matter related to remarks attributed to Leader of Opposition Atishi.
In a communication dated February 14, the Secretariat referred to an email received from Shekhar’s office on February 12 in response to its earlier notice dated February 5. The letter stated that the Hon’ble Committee had sought specific comments and supporting documents, which were to be submitted by February 12, but had not been received within the stipulated timeline.
The Committee had requested a copy of the complaint and accompanying documents on the basis of which an FIR was registered, along with a copy of the FIR itself. It also sought the Social Medical Expert’s report from the Technical Cell of Punjab Police and the report of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab.
The Secretariat emphasised that matters of privilege are personal to the individual addressed and must not be treated as routine departmental correspondence. It cautioned that delay or refusal to provide the required information could, in itself, amount to breach of privilege and contempt of the House.
The notice grants Shekhar a final opportunity to furnish his comments and the requested documents by February 20, 2026. The communication was issued with the prior approval of the Chairperson of the Committee of Privileges. Copies were marked to Pradyumn Singh Rajput, Chairperson of the Committee of Privileges; the Secretary to the Speaker; and other senior officials of the Assembly Secretariat.
The controversy stems from remarks allegedly made during Assembly proceedings on January 6, which drew objections and led to a unanimous decision by the House to send the recordings for forensic examination. The material was subsequently forwarded for scientific analysis under established procedures.
Meanwhile, the issue has triggered political reactions. Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take firm action, citing forensic findings from laboratories in Punjab and Delhi that, he claimed, indicated the circulation of a manipulated video aimed at falsely implicating Atishi.
Speaker Vijender Gupta has raised concerns over what he described as a parallel forensic process initiated in Punjab while the Assembly-authorised examination was ongoing. He questioned the legality and procedural validity of a separate report and FIR, stating that key aspects such as the source of the video and chain of custody required scrutiny.
The Speaker has also reportedly given Atishi a final opportunity to withdraw her remarks and apologise before the House, warning that repeated incidents affecting legislative decorum and religious sentiments would invite strict action.
